The I ♥ Cebu blog by Peanut Browas

​The influence of the Chinese in the Queen City of the South is very much evident in many aspects in the lives of Cebuanos. You can see these influences in some of the food we eat, tourist spots in and around the city, and even some of the practices of some Cebuanos.

Chinese Influence – image source – en.wikipedia.org

Pre-Spanish era

The island of Cebu already had a thriving community long before the Spaniards arrived in the Philippines. The locals were already trading with people coming from places as far as China. Chinese merchants would arrive at the port bringing silk, porcelain, cotton, iron, copper, and glass products, among others. They would trade these items for products, like gold, pearls, cotton, and abaca, which the natives brought. Chinese merchants would dock their boats at the Parian area and go further inland through rivers and creeks using small boats to trade with the natives.

Chinese Influence – image source – courtesy of Peter Parcon

Arrival of the Spaniards

When the Spaniards arrived, the port area was divided into two sections by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. One section became the Poblacion de Europeos, which was also called Ciudad de Cebu, while the second section of the port was Poblacion de Naturales, which later became San Nicolas.

Chinese Influence – image source – courtesy of Peter Parcon

Parian District

When Cebu participated in the galleon trade, the Chinese established a settlement in the Parian area, which was already a major commercial district in Cebu. Stores were set up by Chinese traders, who lived in the second floor of these establishments. The area became the home of rich Chinese merchants and Spanish mestizos.

Chinese Influence – image source – rappler.com

​The district was placed under the care of the Jesuits who preached Christianity among the residents. In addition, they also taught reading, writing and arithmetic. The port area was separated into two parishes by Fr. Pedro de Arca, the second bishop of Cebu, in October 1614. One parish was for the Christian Chinese while a second parish was for Filipinos living in areas close to the ciudad. A third area was for local people or indios living in San Nicolas.

Chinese Influence – image source – pariansasugbu.wordpress.com

Trade and Commerce

Trade and commerce started to decline in the 17th and 18th century, which led to a decline in the Chinese population in the Cebu. Since there was a shift from commerce to agriculture, the Chinese started to migrate to other places in the archipelago. The decline was further heightened by the expulsions in 1780 by Governor-General Simon de Anda. The Parian area started to become a suburban residential area where Chinese mestizos lived.

Chinese Influence – image source – pariansasugbu.wordpress.com

​When the Chinese started to return to Cebu in the 19th century, the Parian river was already heavily silted making it impassable. Instead of staying in Parian, the Chinese stayed at the Ermita-Lutao area since it was closer to the sea. The place is where the present Carbon Market is located.

Chinese Influence – image source – courtesy of Peter Parcon

​The Chinese soon shifted their focus to agriculture and acquired estates in different parts of the island. They were able to accumulate wealth as they became major traders of cash crops in the later part of the 19th century. They also had major interests in the shipping industry, which is still evident even up to today.

Chinese Influence – image source – cebu-bluewaters.com

Food

The presence of numerous Chinese restaurants in and around the Queen City of the South reflects the depth of the roots of Chinese influence is among Cebuanos. You can see a number of these Chinese restaurants in the downtown and uptown area, including Mingnan Chinese Cuisine, Ding Qua Qua Dimsum House, and the White Gold House, among others.

Chinese Influence – image source – courtesy of Peter Parcon

​Aside from these restaurants, you can also see the Chinese influence in the food Cebuanos eat. For instance, fish balls have become one of the best-loved street food items in the Queen City of the South. You can easily find a fish ball vendor selling his product outside many schools in Cebu. In addition, the siomai has also gained popularity among Cebuanos. Siomai stalls can be found in nearly all neighborhoods in the city.

Chinese Influence – image source – flickr.com

​The Chinese lumpia in Foodarama is another food item Cebuanos have learned to love through the years. In fact, the Chinese lumpia are still prepared by Manang Sara, who can be considered as an institution on her own in the culinary landscape of Cebu.

Chinese Influence – image source – courtesy of Peter Parcon

​There are many other food items that trace their roots to the Chinese, including the lumpia, Sotanghon, and pancit, among others. The La Fortuna bakeshop close to Magellan’s Cross also shows the culinary influence the Chinese have on Cebuanos. Aside from selling Cebuano delicacies, the place also sells delicacies of Chinese origins. This goes to show that Chinese cuisine has become a part of the diet of many Cebuanos.

Chinese Influence – image source – foodspotting.com

Business Practices

Chinese merchants normally buy or trade items from one place and bring them to another place to sell or trade. This practice of buying or trading and selling was also adopted by Cebuanos. There are a number of small businesses in Cebu that source their products from the Carbon Market or the commercial district along Colon Street and sell them in other areas around the province. They may even go to other parts of the Visayas to sell these products. The thriftiness of Cebuanos may also be attributed to the way the Chinese would save first before they think of spending.

Chinese Influence – image source – courtesy of Peter Parcon

​There are numerous businesses in Cebu owned by Chinese families. A good number of these are located along Colon Street, which is the oldest street in the country. Many of these businesses were passed on from one generation to another, with the descendants acquiring the practices of their forebears. Due to this, these businesses have continued to exist and are expanding with the innovations brought in by the new generations in the family.

Chinese Influence – image source – courtesy of Peter Parcon

​While many of the businesses in the Queen City of the South are owned by Filipino-Chinese businessmen, there are also a number of companies owned by Cebuanos. Even as these businessmen may have some Chinese blood in them, they consider themselves as true-blue Cebuanos.

Chinese Influence – image source – courtesy of Peter Parcon

Religion

Since they were rich, the Chinese settlers sponsored projects that built churches in the city. One of the most notable church-building projects is the Sacred Heart Parish. The church is dedicated to "Our Lady Queen of China." The church started out as a small chapel in the Parian area in 1952. The permanent home for the church along D. Jakosalem Street was established in 1960 by the Chinese Catholic Association.

Chinese Influence – image source – courtesy of Peter Parcon

​While many of the Chinese settlers became baptized Christians when they settled in Cebu, a number have continued to practice their religion even after they made Cebu their home. The Taoist Temple is proof of this fact. Aside from being one of the tourist attractions in the Queen City of the South, the Taoist Temple in Beverly Hills is also a functional temple where believers of Taoism practice their religion.

Chinese Influence – image source – commons.wikipedia.org

​There is also another temple where the Chinese have stayed true to their roots and continued to practice their religion, the Chu Un Buddhist Temple. While the Chu Un Buddhist Temple, which is located along V. Rama Street, was only established in 1988, it still shows that a number of the descendants of Chinese migrants have continued to practice the religion of their forebears.

Chinese Influence – image source – courtesy of Peter Parcon

​The richness of the culture of Cebu can be attributed to the influences of other cultures on Cebuanos. One of the cultures that played an important role in the history and culture of Cebu is the Chinese culture. The Chinese have touched different aspects of life in the Queen City of the South. These contributions and other mementos of the past will soon be made available through the Cebu Chinese Heritage Museum, which will be established at the old Gotiaoco Building in front of the Cebu City Hall. The museum will serve as a way for the city to recognize the role of the Chinese in the growth and development of Cebu City and the island of Cebu as a whole.